What's Next for the Twins After Signing Victor Caratini?

[Nate Palmer]

Image courtesy of Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

On Friday afternoon, it was announced that the Minnesota Twins have a 2-year, $14 million agreement with catcher and first baseman Victor Caratini. With the way the team has postured its own spending limitations this offseason, it seems like a very strange move given they already had two major-league catchers on the roster. 

What could be next for the Twins after the signing of Caratini?

1. Incoming Jeffers trade?
Ryan Jeffers’s name has already been in the trade rumor mill. With Caratini’s $14 million over the next two years added to the payroll, it seems hard to find a way that Jeffers's $6.7 million this year makes sense, or if any extensions for him are possible. A trade involving Jeffers already seemed very plausible, and Caratini’s addition only seems to add to that reality. 

Most recently, Jeffers was linked to the Philadelphia Phillies, but with the return of J.T. Realmuto, that connection is no longer possible. Teams like the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, and Pittsburgh Pirates are teams that have been linked to catchers this offseason. Jeffers would represent a solid addition for any team looking for catching help at an affordable salary.  

If the Twins were to move on from Jeffers, that would put the club back essentially in the same place they were, payroll-wise, for 2026, while holding control of Caratini for one more year than they have control of Jeffers. A trade would also provide the opportunity for the Twins to acquire a significant player(s) to either help with infield defensive needs or the bullpen. 

2. Is Jeffers viewed as a bat now?
If a trade is not in the works, Jeffers has been one of the Twins most impactful bats during his tenure. The addition of another catcher that the Twins feel confident in starting frees the right-handed Jeffers up to escape the physical demands of being the Twins starting catcher for 120+ games. Instead, Caratini would allow Jeffers to return to a similar catching load as he had when paired with Christian Vazquez. Possibly even less, with Alex Jackson also currently in the mix. 

It would be an interesting rotation to navigate, but with as much as the Twins struggled on offense last season, maximizing one of your best bats could yield good results for the club. Jeffers ended 2025 with a 113 wRC+ and a .752 OPS. The only current Twins that finished ahead of him in those stat categories are Byron Buxton, Luke Keaschall, and Matt Wallner. 

If Jeffers is viewed as having more value as a bat than as a catcher, getting him in the lineup more often becomes that much more important. Jeffers played in 119 games last season, and rotating him more often as a first baseman or DH would get him closer to playing 162 games and maximizing the value of his bat. Which inevitably means more first base or DH play. This also pushes Kody Clemens down the depth chart, allowing him to be an effective role player instead of a stretched starter if he makes the roster. 

In this view of Jeffers, Caratini now becomes the primary catcher defensively. At the plate, he would provide similar offensive stats and not a huge drop off with a 104 wRC+ and .728 OPS in 2025. Defensively, he has been rated very similarly to Jeffers. One area in which he is superior to Jeffers is in Baseball Savant’s blocks above average. His 4 blocks above average ranks him 15th amongst MLB catchers. 

3. Jackson, the odd man out? 
It is possible that the first two points are simply applying too much complexity to the move. Jackson was the waterline move that the front office made early on in the offseason to make sure, in the worst-case scenario, they weren’t left without a backup catcher. Caratini now simply represents the upgrade, and Jackson, who is out of options, is now expendable. In that case, in the next several days, we may see if the Twins can find a suitor for Jackson or simply release him. From there, Caratini and Jeffers will share catching duties similarly to how Vazquez and Jeffers had done previously. 

As fans, we will certainly be waiting to see how Caratini fits into the overall roster construction plans for 2026. What do you believe is next for the Twins? 

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[JDubs]

Seems like it would be quite possible to sneak Jackson through waivers and see if you can't assign him to AAA and thus have a decent backup stashed away in case anything happens to Jeffers or Caratini. Unless Jeffers is absolutely opposed to an extension or wants some ridiculous number, it doesn't make much sense to sign a guy at basically exactly Jeffer's contract if you were looking to shed him.

[Nashvilletwin]

The smart move is to now move Jeffers while his value is highest. Ideally the return is a player who already has some MLB experience and is controllable for several years. A solid reliever candidate might be an option.

The additional benefit is that it opens up needed ABs for the players who still have a chance to prove if they can be part of the next core.  This includes current rostered Twins and near-term prospects.  We need more investment in these players - not less.  2026 is the perfect year to do that.

If Jeffers stays, the roster just becomes more of a Rocco-inspired platoon model.  Snooze……

[DJL44]

Caratini and Jeffers should be able to equally share the catching duties. Against LHP it would be great to have Caratini at 1B and Jeffers behind the plate. Jeffers can get his days off against tough RHP with Caratini catching and Kody Clemens at 1B.

[Coach Wheels]

If the offers for Jeffers now are fair and make the Twins better for Opening Day, move him now. If not, sometime before July 1st, he'll get moved because I don't believe they intend to bring him back in 2027.

[DJL44]

6 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

The smart move is to now move Jeffers while his value is highest. Ideally the return is a player who already has some MLB experience and is controllable for several years. A solid reliever candidate might be an option.

Trading Jeffers for a reliever sounds like a terrible idea. He's in his final year of arbitration, which means he's getting paid near market value. As we get closer to the trade deadline, his remaining salary will be lower. It's also possible (likely?) one of the MLB catchers on a contending team gets injured. Jeffers becomes more valuable if that opportunity arises.

I am a little sad that the Caratini deal closes the door on a Ryan Jeffers extension. The front office really blew it not extending him after the 2024 season. This team absolutely has to offer contract extensions to their home-grown players if they want to compete. They can't spend two years developing a player only to get two or three prime years before they're forced to sell when they run out of team control.

[DJL44]

In the immediate near-term, someone has to come off the 40-man roster. Jackson, Outman and Julien are the most likely to leave unless they want to try to get Brujan or Kreidler through waivers now.

[thelanges5]

Jeffers is a Boras client and those guys typically don’t do extensions. I’d rather see him in a Twins uniform, but it may be best to move him for an MLB piece.  Unless there are a few more moves to make this roster puzzle makes sense?

[Eris]

Moving Ryan Jeffers to first base and getting him in 140 games a year would make a lot of sense.  He likely will be above average defensively at 1B and one of the Twins best right handed power bats increases playing time. But the Twins have Julien, Bell, Clemens, maybe Keaschall and a bunch of other players to pencil in there. 
 

Ryan Jeffers experienced concussion like symptoms in early September 2025, but he did catch 2 games towards the end of the season. Maybe there are some health concerns here. (I have no information that supports this other than he missed about 3 weeks towards the end of the 2025 season). 

[Linus]

I believe #3 is correct. Falvey wanted a safety net in Jackson while he waited for an opportunity. Caratini was his opportunity. If they truly are trying to win they will hold on to Jefferson as long as they hold on to Ryan. Mind you this is not a plan I endorse. Two things that won’t happen in my opinion are a Jefferson extension and Jefferson getting much run at DH or any at first. They’ve made their decisions in those two spots. I don’t think anyone knows what next moves will be including Falvey. He will wait until he sees an opportunity to raise the floor and get good value. 

[Otaknam]

Caratini seems like a solid catcher with decent offensive upside. But he’s getting paid more than Jeffers, so this is a head scratcher for me. With Josh Bell on the team and likely the everyday DH, that will limit DH opportunities for Jeffers. It only makes sense if they plan to trade Jeffers before the season. 

[terrydactyls]

12 minutes ago, Linus said:

I believe #3 is correct. Falvey wanted a safety net in Jackson while he waited for an opportunity. Caratini was his opportunity. If they truly are trying to win they will hold on to Jefferson as long as they hold on to Ryan. Mind you this is not a plan I endorse. Two things that won’t happen in my opinion are a Jefferson extension and Jefferson getting much run at DH or any at first. They’ve made their decisions in those two spots. I don’t think anyone knows what next moves will be including Falvey. He will wait until he sees an opportunity to raise the floor and get good value. 

Is "Jefferson" a cutesy play on Jeffers or did I miss a signing of Justin Jefferson?

[terrydactyls]

To me, Caratini sounds like a new hipster take on a martini using carrot juice.

 

ar

[mluebker]

I like a defensive upgrade, particularly behind the plate. 

[Linus]

12 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

Is "Jefferson" a cutesy play on Jeffers or did I miss a signing of Justin Jefferson?

That would be auto correct or my aged brain and I don’t know which 😀

[Gamblerssoftball]

I agree with the notion that Jackson was acquired in case they couldn't get Caratini. The quick way the deal for Caratini went down, it looks like it was in the works for a while. There's also the fact that both Jeffers and Caratini are veteran MLB catchers. That's important considering there may be several young arms in this years pitching staff. I like this a lot, if that is how it plays out.

[rdehring]

Interesting question.  Expect the answer is 'nobody knows.'

The Twins may be looking at 2028 as their first real chance to compete.  Long-shot this year and way too many unknowns for 2027.  What will the catching situation be for the Twins come 2028?  How close will Tait and/or Jiminez be?  Is there anyone else currently at AA or AAA who they believe could develop into either a MLB starter or good backup? 

If those are their thoughts, cannot see them extend Jeffers.  And if he isn't going to be extended, gotta believe he is gone by July 31 at the latest.  Hopefully, he is healthy and having a good spring or first half and the Twins get something back that can provide immediate help for the big club.  

As for Jackson, if he is waived and claimed by team X, they are liable for his salary.  Correct?  

[mikelink45]

When I read about all the teams that you list looking for catchers I have to wonder why they didn't sign Caratini?

[karcherd]

This is a typical Falvey signing.  Teams don't really view Caratini as a C but somehow the Twins superior staff will convert him into one.  Even playing half time with Jeffers if that is the plan, is this really the best use of assets.

Bell was a similar signing, he is no longer is a first baseman but are they are really going to insist on running him out there 120 games or more.  And no Clemens is not the answer at 1B.

I would love to see Falvey for once try to strengthen the top end of the roster and get quality players here or develop your prospects and trust them to play.  This playing at the edges is getting ridiculous.

You can blame the Pholad's all you want but Falvey has been an absolute failure and is in over his head.  He can't develop players, identify talent that can be difference makers and he no idea on how to manage the resources he is given.

 

[Jeff K]

To me, this appears to be a prelude to trading Jeffers.  I like the idea of moving Jeffers to first base (assuming he has aptitude for it); however, why did they sign Bell?  Surely he wasn't signed to be a full time DH as the Twins have loads of candidates who have iron gloves and should dh...if anything at all.

[Nashvilletwin]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Trading Jeffers for a reliever sounds like a terrible idea. He's in his final year of arbitration, which means he's getting paid near market value. As we get closer to the trade deadline, his remaining salary will be lower. It's also possible (likely?) one of the MLB catchers on a contending team gets injured. Jeffers becomes more valuable if that opportunity arises.

I am a little sad that the Caratini deal closes the door on a Ryan Jeffers extension. The front office really blew it not extending him after the 2024 season. This team absolutely has to offer contract extensions to their home-grown players if they want to compete. They can't spend two years developing a player only to get two or three prime years before they're forced to sell when they run out of team control.

Well, the timing all depends on the offers on the table and the amount of risk you want to assume.  Given he won’t be back, he must be moved no later than the deadline.  If he has a good first half, he’s healthy, and there are some injuries to other catchers on contenders (which I agree is very possible), then his value may go up.  If any of the opposites are the case, then his value might be higher now.  We don’t know what the current bids are, so it’s difficult to say what is the right move.  But trying to sneak Jackson through waivers and losing him might complicate the catching lineup later in the season. So that would suggest a benefit to moving Jeffers before opening day if they don’t want to carry three catchers.

Btw, you are mistaken if you think Jeffers is going to return a relatively near-term projectible starting position player or starter.  That’s just not going to happen - his value, especially for less than a half of year, is just not that high.  A young solid reliever who projects as part of the bullpen for several years and has some upside as a later inning type would be an excellent return for Jeffers. Otherwise, you’re looking at a longer-term dice roll - of which the organization is long already.

[Blyleven2011]

We could change the name to protect the innocent  ...

The STRANGERS , get to know them and what position they might play  ...

[tony&rodney]

Tre' Morgan from the Rays for Jeffers and Travis Adams? Tampa Bay has a couple of young guys ahead of him.

The Twins say no because Morgan plays defense and doesn't hit enough home runs or strike out often?

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

The smart move is to now move Jeffers while his value is highest. Ideally the return is a player who already has some MLB experience and is controllable for several years. A solid reliever candidate might be an option.

The additional benefit is that it opens up needed ABs for the players who still have a chance to prove if they can be part of the next core.  This includes current rostered Twins and near-term prospects.  We need more investment in these players - not less.  2026 is the perfect year to do that.

If Jeffers stays, the roster just becomes more of a Rocco-inspired platoon model.  Snooze……

Caratini & Bell are both switch hitters. Both can DH & both can play 1B. Doesn’t seem like a platoon issue at all to me. Jeffers hits LH pitching better and he hits better as the DH. These 3 rotating through DH - 1B - and two of them at Catcher lets the Team move on from Clemens with Jackson taking his roster spot so there’s no risk in starting Jeffers & Caratini.

Viewing Jeffers & Caratini as viable options at DH & 1B in some combination & not only Catchers makes this move very sound for the ‘26 season. If Team isn’t as competitive as hoped, Jeffers will be a potentially valued trade piece at the deadline.

IMO, replacing Kody Clemens with better offense makes perfect sense. Having the ability to bat Jeffers 145 games while not having to Catch him more than 85-90 times makes perfect sense.

[sweetmusicviola16]

This is actually a difficult one to call. Safest bet is Jackson gets traded in ST. But they should be looking to get something for him because they did give up something even if Eeles wasn't highly regarded. But making 1.35 and with his poor hitting record Jackson is likely to bring little. With Caratini not actually being a C who is going to be a primary receiver would they deal Jeffers? I'm really not sure. But imo carrying all three of these guys opening day is a bad idea if it happens. Neither Jeffers or Caratini carries a 1B or DH bat. They just don't. Playing either or both there is what a 60 win team does, not a contender. 

[Chembry]

42 minutes ago, karcherd said:

This is a typical Falvey signing.  Teams don't really view Caratini as a C but somehow the Twins superior staff will convert him into one.  Even playing half time with Jeffers if that is the plan, is this really the best use of assets.

Bell was a similar signing, he is no longer is a first baseman but are they are really going to insist on running him out there 120 games or more.  And no Clemens is not the answer at 1B.

I would love to see Falvey for once try to strengthen the top end of the roster and get quality players here or develop your prospects and trust them to play.  This playing at the edges is getting ridiculous.

You can blame the Pholad's all you want but Falvey has been an absolute failure and is in over his head.  He can't develop players, identify talent that can be difference makers and he no idea on how to manage the resources he is given.

 

How can you say teams don’t view Caratini as a catcher and the Twins will covert him? 79% of games played in MLB are at C.  In his 9-year career, he has started 496 games, 424 of them at C.  He was the Phillies back up option for Catcher.  He has also spent the vast majority of his playing time the last 3 years at catcher.  75% of his innings played since 2023 are at C.  He has positional flexibility, but more than likely the back up C. 2025 was the first year he ever started at DH.

[JD-TWINS]

38 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I think they were not confident in this pickup so they traded for Jackson to ensure the catcher position was covered.  Now that that is done, it doesn't make sense to release Jackson for no compensation after giving up Payton Eeles for him.

I think that they have a Jeffers trade in mind and are waiting for multiple teams to up the ante in order to get the highest return on him.  They sure aren't going to carry 3 catchers on the roster.

Lastly, has Jeffers ever played 1B?  If not, given we have multiple options there I doubt that he'd be able to pick it up such that he'd be even decent defensively.   DH is an option but with Bell, Buck, Wallner, and several others, that position is filling up fast.

Wallner at DH zero games v. LH pitching in ‘26  - Buxton DHed 8 times in 2025 - Bell will probably get 50 starts as DH & 70 starts at 1B….. he didn’t play 1B as much in ‘25 due to the presence of Nathaniel Lowe through July and then youth movement after August 1st, with The Nationals…….. Kody Clemens doesn’t block Bell from playing 1B routinely.

[LambchoP]

Maybe we can trade Jackson for a young controllable reliever. Maybe package him with one of our LH hitting OF'ers and get a late inning guy. Either way, some trades need to be made in order to rebalance this roster.

[JD-TWINS]

46 minutes ago, karcherd said:

This is a typical Falvey signing.  Teams don't really view Caratini as a C but somehow the Twins superior staff will convert him into one.  Even playing half time with Jeffers if that is the plan, is this really the best use of assets.

Bell was a similar signing, he is no longer is a first baseman but are they are really going to insist on running him out there 120 games or more.  And no Clemens is not the answer at 1B.

I would love to see Falvey for once try to strengthen the top end of the roster and get quality players here or develop your prospects and trust them to play.  This playing at the edges is getting ridiculous.

You can blame the Pholad's all you want but Falvey has been an absolute failure and is in over his head.  He can't develop players, identify talent that can be difference makers and he no idea on how to manage the resources he is given.

 

I do, & will blame the Pohlad’s. A GM/FO can’t operate with payroll going from $135M in ‘22 to $155M in ‘23 to $140M & $130M in the next two subsequent years after being allowed to sign a $35M SS. David Copperfield can’t make that financial approach work! FO’s that work on lower budgets (Brewers/Guardians/etc.) do it with a philosophy and a plan. There are no $35M guys on those clubs …… Falvey & crew can only do so much with no year over year plan from ownership regarding spending.

Team is trying to get right. Falvey & FO have to work within ownership’s constraints. If Team spent in ‘26 what they spent in ‘24 they would still have $35-$40M to spend on this Roster and it would be 3 very good players “stronger”. 

I do completely agree, Clemens is not the answer at 1B nor anywhere. Caratini is a better hitter than Clemens. Bell is a better hitter than Clemens. I’ll live with any defensive differences between these two options and what Clemens would bring with the glove.

[Fatbat]

The next signings better be some RP’s.  Jhonny Pereda is still on the 40 man so I assume he will be catching in st paul. Maybe someone will give up a flier for Jackson but no idea what the market is for a baseline C. If you move Jeffers, they better get a very nice return cause Jeffers is cheap. 
And isn’t Wagaman getting some 1B love in ‘26? Our infield seems overloaded atm.
 
If you are old enough to remember 1982, this offseason sure seems like 81/82. A ton of upper minor league talent and alot of BLAH on the MLB roster.